You Don't Know My Name

2003 single by Alicia Keys

"You Don't Know My Name"

Single by Alicia Keys

from the album The Diary of Alicia Keys

B-side

"Diary"
"Fallin'"
"Butterflyz"

Released

November 10, 2003 (2003-11-10)

Studio

Kampo
Quad (New York City)

Genre

R&B
soul

Length

6:06 (album version)
4:26 (radio edit)

Label

Songwriter(s)

Alicia Keys
Kanye West
Harold Lilly
J. R. Bailey
Mel Kent
Ken Williams

Producer(s)

Kanye West
Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys singles chronology

"Girlfriend"
(2002)

"You Don't Know My Name"
(2003)

"If I Ain't Got You"
(2004)

Music video

"You Don't Know My Name" on YouTube

"You Don't Know My Name" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys for her second studio album The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003). It was written by Keys, Kanye West and Harold Lilly, and produced by Keys and West. The song contains a sample from the 1975 song "Let Me Prove My Love to You", written by J. R. Bailey, Mel Kent and Ken Williams and performed by The Main Ingredient. It was released as the lead single from The Diary of Alicia Keys on November 10, 2003, by J Records.

"You Don't Know My Name" became Keys' third top-ten hit in the United States, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as topping the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for eight consecutive weeks. Critically acclaimed, the song won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song and a Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Single, Female. It was sampled on rapper Lil Wayne's 2008 song "Comfortable", featuring Babyface and produced by West. Blender placed the song at number 37 on its list of "The 100 Best Songs of 2004".^[1]

Music video

Directed by Chris Robinson and Andrew Young, rapper Mos Def plays Michael Harris, Alicia's love interest, and Keys plays a waitress at a restaurant. The music video follows Keys working as a waitress at a café. One day, Keys meets a man (played by Mos Def) in the café, and she falls in love with him. Later on, Keys is at a house party where she runs into that same man when a fight is about to break out, and the scene resembles the house party scene in the movie Cooley High. Later in the video, Keys imagines getting the courage to call him and to tell him about her feelings. However, at the end of the movie, she remembers his order but there is no other recognition and the scene ends with his card still being in the bowl and Keys staring out the window since she will never be able to reveal her true feelings for the man.

Track listings and formats

US 7-inch single^[2]

A. "You Don't Know My Name" (radio version) — 4:26

B. "You Don't Know My Name" (instrumental version) — 4:27

US 12-inch single^[3]

A1. "You Don't Know My Name" (radio mix) — 4:26

A2. "You Don't Know My Name" (instrumental) — 4:27

B1. "You Don't Know My Name" (album mix) — 6:08

B2. "You Don't Know My Name" (acappella) — 4:26

Canadian and European CD single^[4]

"You Don't Know My Name" — 5:28
"Diary" (featuring Tony! Toni! Toné!) — 4:45

UK CD single^[5]

"You Don't Know My Name" — 4:20
"Fallin'" (Ali soundtrack version) — 4:30

European enhanced CD single^[6]

"You Don't Know My Name" — 4:20
"Fallin'" (Ali soundtrack version) — 4:30
"Butterflyz" (Roger's Release Mix) — 3:54
"You Don't Know My Name" (video)

European CD maxi-single^[7]

"You Don't Know My Name" — 5:28
"Diary" (featuring Tony! Toni! Toné!) — 4:45
"You Don't Know My Name" (instrumental version) — 4:27

European 12-inch single^[8]

A1. "You Don't Know My Name" (radio edit) — 3:07

A2. "Fallin'" (Ali soundtrack version) — 6:08

B1. "You Don't Know My Name" (instrumental version) — 4:27

Personnel

Alicia Keys – producer, vocals, background vocals
Sanford Allen – concertmaster, violin
Tony Black – engineer
Richard Brice – viola
Kurt Briggs – violin
Avril Brown – violin
Robert Chausow – viola
Ray Chew – string conductor, string arrangements
Barry Finclair – viola
Eileen Folson – cello
Sharief Hobley – guitar
Stanley Hunte – violin
John Legend – background vocals

Harold Lilly – background vocals
Manny Marroquin – mixing
Lori Miller – violin
Ann Mincieli – engineer
Caryl Paisner – cello
Marion Pinheiro – violin
Herb Powers Jr. – mastering
Artie Reynolds – bass guitar
Maxine Roach – viola
Alexander Vselensky – violin
Kanye West – producer
Xin Zhao – violin

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2003–2004)	Peak position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)^[9]	48
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)^[10]	2
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)^[11]	2
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)^[12]	22
Croatia (HRT)^[13]	1
France (SNEP)^[14]	43
Germany (Official German Charts)^[15]	68
Ireland (IRMA)^[16]	33
Italy (FIMI)^[17]	17
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)^[18]	9
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[19]	20
Romania (Romanian Top 100)^[20]	94
Scotland (OCC)^[21]	35
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)^[22]	54
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[23]	26
UK Singles (OCC)^[24]	19
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)^[25]	2
US Billboard Hot 100^[26]	3
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[27]	1
US Rhythmic (Billboard)^[28]	11

Year-end charts

Chart (2004)	Position
Brazil (Crowley)^[29]	55
US Billboard Hot 100^[30]	29
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)^[31]	6
US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)^[32]	65

Decade-end charts

Chart (2000–2009)	Position
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[33]	38

Certifications

Certifications and sales for "You Don't Know My Name"
Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)^[34]	Silver	200,000^‡
United States (RIAA)^[35]	Platinum	1,000,000^‡
^‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "You Don't Know My Name"
Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United States	November 10, 2003	Rhythmic contemporary radio urban adult contemporary radio urban contemporary radio	J	^[36]
United States	November 18, 2003	7-inch vinyl 12-inch vinyl	J	^[2]^[37]
Germany	November 24, 2003	Maxi CD	Sony Music	^[15]
France	November 25, 2003	Maxi CD	Sony Music	^[38]
United States	December 1, 2003	Contemporary hit radio	J	^[39]
United Kingdom	December 8, 2003	12-inch vinyl CD	RCA	^[40]
France	March 2, 2004	CD	Sony Music	^[41]

References

^ "The 100 Best Songs of 2004". Blender. Alpha Media Group Inc. November 23, 2004. Archived from the original on May 26, 2009. Retrieved May 30, 2009.
^ ^a ^b You Don't Know My Name (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). Alicia Keys. J Records. 2003. 82876-56599-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ You Don't Know My Name (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). Alicia Keys. J Records. 2003. 82876-56599-1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ You Don't Know My Name (European & Canadian CD single liner notes). Alicia Keys. J Records, BMG. 2003. 82876 581372.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ You Don't Know My Name (UK CD single liner notes). Alicia Keys. J Records, MBK Entertainment, BMG. 2003. 82876 58865 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ You Don't Know My Name (European enhanced CD single liner notes). Alicia Keys. J Records. 2003. 82876 58161 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ You Don't Know My Name (European CD maxi-single liner notes). Alicia Keys. J Records. 2003. 82876 574602.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ You Don't Know My Name (EU 12-inch single vinyl disc). Alicia Keys. J Records. 2003. 82876 57460 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ "Alicia Keys – You Don't Know My Name" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
^ "Alicia Keys – You Don't Know My Name" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
^ "Alicia Keys – You Don't Know My Name" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
^ "Singles : Top 50". Jam!. January 29, 2004. Archived from the original on February 2, 2004. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
^ "HR Top 20 Lista". Croatian Radiotelevision. Archived from the original on February 5, 2004. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
^ "Alicia Keys – You Don't Know My Name" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
^ ^a ^b "Alicia Keys – You Don't Know My Name" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Alicia Keys". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
^ "Alicia Keys – You Don't Know My Name". Top Digital Download. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 1, 2004" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
^ "Alicia Keys – You Don't Know My Name" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
^ "Arhiva romanian top 100 – Editia 5, saptamina 2.02 – 8.02, 2004" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on October 13, 2004.
^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
^ "Alicia Keys – You Don't Know My Name". Singles Top 100. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
^ "Alicia Keys – You Don't Know My Name". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
^ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
^ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
^ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
^ "Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2004". Crowley Broadcast Analysis. April 3, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
^ "2004 Year End Charts – The Billboard Hot 100 Singles & Tracks". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. December 25, 2004. Retrieved November 8, 2010.
^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: 2004". Billboard. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
^ "2004 The Year in Charts: Most-Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs". Billboard Radio Monitor. Vol. 12, no. 51. December 17, 2004. p. 29.
^ "Decade End Charts – R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved November 8, 2010.^{[permanent dead link]}
^ "British single certifications – Alicia Keys – You Don't Know My Name". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
^ "American single certifications – Alicia Keys – You Don't Know My Name". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1529. November 7, 2003. p. 23. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
^ "You Don't Know My Name [12 inch Analog]". United States: Amazon Music. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
^ "You don't know my name – Alicia Keys – CD maxi single" (in French). France: Fnac. November 25, 2003. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
^ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1532. November 28, 2003. p. 20. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. December 6, 2003. p. 27.
^ "You don't know my name – Alicia Keys – CD single" (in French). France: Fnac. March 2, 2004. Retrieved September 19, 2022.